Area Info

North Carolina Mountain Vacations are far from uneventful. North Carolina led the country’s wine production in 1835 with the first commercial winery, MEDOC Vineyard. More than a century later, North Carolina shows a promising future for the grape industry. Today North Carolina ranks 10th nationally in grape production and 12th in wine production.

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The following link will guide you through a journey of North Carolina’s wine country. We, at Leatherwood, are excited about North Carolina wine and would love to customize your personal tour and offer tips for your North Carolina Mountain Vacation experience.

www.yadkinwines.com

Grandfather Mountain drive to top, walk across mile-high footbridge, nature museum, natural habitats for bears, panthers, deer, and eagles, US 221 one mile from Parkway, Linville, 60 minutes from Leatherwood

Blue Ridge Parkway the most-visited national park, hugs the crest of the mountains, 30 minutes from Leatherwood

Linn Cove Viaduct milepost 304, engineering marvel bridge, winds across Grandfather, seemingly hanging in space while clinging to the mountain’s face

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Linville Caverns US 221 south between Linville and Marion

Linville Falls milepost 316, one of the most spectacular falls on the Parkway, moderate hike to see

Lost Cove Cliffs milepost 310, on summer nights you may spot the legendary Brown Mountain Lights

The Blowing Rock in the village of the same name, an immense cliff overhanging Johns River Gorge 3,000 feet below. The phenomenon is so called because the rocky walls of the gorge form a flume through which the northwest wind sweeps with such force that it returns light objects cast over the void. 50 minutes from Leatherwood 828-295-7111

Moses Cone Manor House & Estate and Parkway Craft Center, May through October, milepost 294

Stone Mountain State Park stone monolith mountain, hiking, picnicking, fishing, 60 minutes from Leatherwood

Pilot Mountain State Park smaller stone monolith, unique, US 52, Pinnacle, 90 minutes from Leatherwood

Chimney Rock Park NC 64/74-A, 2 hours from Leatherwood

Mountain Laurel bloom in early June

Rhododendron bloom in late June

Kerr Scott Reservoir camping, picnicking, fishing, 15 minutes from Leatherwood

Blue Ridge Vacations area information – an online resource for high country travelers

Tweetsie Railroad three-mile adventure train ride, petting zoo, rides on 321 between Boone and Blowing Rock, May through October

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Grandfather Trout Farm NC 105 between Boone and Linville

Grandfather Gem Mine NC 105 between Boone and Linville

Kerr Scott Lake Mountain Biking Trails -Some of the best Mountain Biking in the Blue Ridge can be found along the scenic shores of W. Kerr Scott Lake near Wilkesboro. The Lake is home to over a dozen miles of singletrack trails, with more under construction. The trails at Kerr Scott were built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers. They’re fast, fun & ready to ride! 15 minutes from Leatherwood

Emerald Hollow rockhounding, sluicing, Hiddenite, 7 AM to sunset daily, 60 minutes from Leatherwood

The Greater Foscoe Mining Co. enriched emerald mine ore from 9 to 6, 7 days a week, Hwy 105, Foscoe, 828-963-5928, 50 minutes from Leatherwood

Appalachian Angler fly shop & guide service, Hwy 105 near Hound Ears, 828-963-5050, 50 minutes from Leatherwood

Foscoe Fishing Company and Outfitters for a day of fishing you’ll never forget, New Shop Location: 9400 NC Hwy. 105 Foscoe NC, 828-963-6556, 50 minutes from Leatherwood

Wahoo’s Adventures rafting, canoeing, tubing outfitters, US 321 one mile south of Boone 800-444-RAFT

Price Lake milepost 297, fishing, hiking, picnicking

Original Ben Long Frescoes painted on the walls of two little untended Episcopal mission churches, the Church of the Holy Trinity in Glendale Springs and St. Mary’s in West Jefferson. The sanctuaries are dominated by frescoes behind their altars. St. Mary’s altar piece is a realistic Christ upon the cross, imposed upon a more ethereal Christ behind the cross, the historical Jesus and the transfigured Christ. To left and right of the massive fresco, smaller ones of a pregnant Mary (the Mary of great expectations) and a proclaiming John the Baptist, both portenders of Christ, point to the center Christ. The Church of the Holy Trinity has as its imposing altar piece an unusual Last Supper. One hour from Leatherwood Wilkes County Ben Long Frescoe St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro that is only 20+ minutes away from Leatherwood. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Frescoes (336)667-4231 200 Cowles Street Wilkesboro, NC 28697 Two frescoes are painted by world-renowned artist Ben Long, depicting St. Paul the Apostle’s time of conversion and while writing the Epistles in prison. Viewing is open, free, to the public Mon.-Sat. 9a-5p, and Sun.12p-5p.

Wilkes Heritage Museum offers Wilkes County’s history of Native Americans, Moravian Explorers, Revolutionary Heroes, Civil War, local industry, moonshine and stock car racing, Gov. Montford Stokes, Tom Dula ”Dooley”, natural disasters like the 1916 and 1940 floods, and guided tours of the Old Wilkes Jail and the Robert Cleveland home. Plus, Candlelight Ghost Tours through Historic Downtown Wilkesboro on select evenings. Admission fee. 10a – 4p Tuesday – Saturday. Closed Sundays, Mondays, and Major Holidays.

Whippoorwill Village NC 268 one mile east of Ferguson, 3-5 Saturdays and Sundays, Tom Dooley Museum, Smokehouse Gallery, Daniel Boone replica cabin and a country store

Hampton Mill on NC 105 turn right like going to Newland for meal to make yeast rolls, sourdough bread, grits

Wilkes Community College Gardens Wilkesboro

Biltmore Estate gardens, conservatory and winery, US 25, Asheville 9-5 daily, 2 hours from Leatherwood

Blowing Rock Stage Company 828-295-9627, professional theatrical company presenting live comedies and musicals throughout the summer

Wilkes Playmakers community theater company at times throughout the year. Special performance of Tom Dooley – A Wilkes County Legend – people nationwide have been fascinated and intrigued with the Tom Dooley story for over a century. The 1860′s murder of Laura Foster not far from Leatherwood was one of the nation’s first highly publicized crimes of passion. Tom Dooley was hanged for the crime but many questions were left unanswered. Excellent play, runs July-August, 336-838-PLAY, 30 minutes from Leatherwood

Horn in the West outdoor drama, mid-June to mid-August, 828-264-2120

Barter Theatre Abingdon, VA (800) 368-3240, 2 hours from Leatherwood

Mast General Store est. 1883 in Valle Crucis, old mountain landmark. Traditional clothing, comfortable shoes and hiking boots, and old-time mercantile items

Shoppes on the Parkway Blowing Rock, 35 factory outlets, Mon-Sat 10am-9pm, Sun 1-6pm, 828-295-4248

Cabin Fever on Main Street in Blowing Rock. Unique shop filled with interesting log furniture and cabin accessories

HIT THE SLOPES!! SKIING, TUBING & ICE SKATING Leatherwood Mountains is ideally situated for guests that are interested in venturing out for a day on the slopes.  The North Carolina High country towns of Boone, Blowing Rock & Banner Elk are a short drive.  Be sure you have a 4-wheel drive during the winter months because the roads to the slopes are pretty curvy and steep!

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4o minutes from Leatherwood Mountains – Appalachian Ski Mountain has long been acclaimed as one of the best places to ski for families, groups and beginners.  They welcome skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.  They also have a ice skating rink.

1 hour and 10 minutes from Leatherwood Mountains – Sugar Mountain is the largest ski area in North Carolina with over 115 acres of skiable terrain.  Sugar also offers snow shoeing, a snowboarding park that is closed to skiers, and a 700 foot long tubing park that is fun for the whole family.

1 hour and 30 minutes from Leatherwood Mountains – Beech Mountain is the highest Ski town in Eastern North America at 5506 ft above sea level.  It has the only high speed quad in North Carolina. There is a wonderful 7,000 square foot ice skating rink in the the village of Beach.

1 hour from Leatherwood Mountains -Hawksnest offers snow tubing for the whole family!  They have a 20 lane snow tubing park with runs that are 400 – 100 feet in length.

Boone Golf Club
433 Fairway Drive
Boone, NC 28607
(828) 264-8760
www.boonegolfclub.com

Cedar Rock Country Club
2065 Cedar Rock Estates Drive
Lenoir, NC 28645
www.cedarrockcountryclub.com

Jefferson Landing Golf Course
184 W Landing Drive
Jefferson, NC 28640
(336) 982-7767
www.visitjeffersonlanding.com

Sugar Mountain Golf Club
1054 Sugar Mountain Drive
Banner Elk, NC 28604
www.seesugar.com          

golf

If you’re planning a winter weekend or extended sojourn in Western North Carolina, don’t miss the accommodations of Leatherwood Mountains. We’re a charming resort that offers an array of vacation rentals affording privacy and yet accessibility to many of the region’s attractions. For those who want to play where all the action is but stay away from it all, Leatherwood delivers this ideal situation. Look no further for your charming place to retreat to after a day of snow tubing or skiing in NC.

The High Country features three ski resorts and an additional snow tubing resort. The closest for skiing is Appalachian Ski Resort, located in Blowing Rock, North Carolina, about 50 minutes away. The other two, Sugar Mountain and Beech Mountain are situated in their respective namesake towns, just over an hour away. Last but not least, Hawks Nest, the snow tubing resort, is nestled in the middle of these hotspots, about an hour away. The drive is easy and will be one to enjoy as it shows off the beautiful countryside of NC.

skier

Boone NC skiing is beloved by many. People from all over the country (and beyond) come to our area to delight in the winter wonderland that abounds here. When you stay at Leatherwood Resort, you get both an insider view and a broader view of the whole picture of a ski getaway. Rest and rejuvenate at one of our enchanting cottages and then make your way to the slopes for your daily adventure. You’ll like your slightly longer trip back to the cabin, rather than staying slope side, where you can take in the scenery, see more of the sights, and reflect on the fun.

Whether you have been skiing or snow tubing in NC before or are about to plan your first time, you’ll love the vacation even more with Leatherwood as your home base. Come during any part of the season and we’ll make your time one to remember. Check out our numerous lodging options to find the perfect fit for you, and reserve one when you’re ready to hit the slopes.

North Carolina Mountain vacations are far from uneventful. Whether you plan to do nothing or everything, a getaway in our region promises to be one you won’t forget. Many of our guests enjoy the distinguished Yadkin Valley wineries and NC breweries nearby. In fact, sometimes, these are what attract people to our area in the first place. It doesn’t matter if you sought out Leatherwood Mountains first and then decided to explore Yadkin Valley wine tours, or if you pursued wine tours that led you to us – either way, you’ll find that our resort and local vineyards go together like cheese and crackers.

For those who appreciate a little history with their fermented grapes, North Carolina led the country’s wine production in 1835 with the first commercial winery, MEDOC Vineyard. More than a century later, North Carolina shows a promising future for the grape industry. Today, North Carolina ranks 10th nationally in grape production and 12th in wine production. Click here to catch a glimpse of North Carolina’s wine country.

For anyone who’s ready to dive right in, take note of the popular places listed below that specialize in your favorite beverages.

Adagio Vineyards – 139 Benge Drive Elkin, 48 miles away from our resort
“Great new vineyard and winery in the Yadkin Valley. …all are very different and worth the trip. The owners have a love of wine and music, and they ably blend those two interests at this cute and comfortable location,” (Mike, 11/1/2014, yelp.com).

Blowing Rock Brewing Company – 152 Sunset Drive Blowing Rock, 29 miles away from our resort
“Let’s start with the beer… the beer menu is longer than the food menu. Our first night in town, I could only sample one of the selections, but I knew I wanted more. So, I came back and tried two more. Needless to say… the beer was good,” (Scott, 10/9/2015, yelp.com).

Cellar 4201 – 4201 Apperson Rd East Bend, 69 miles away from our resort
“Awesome winery. Exceptional wines and wonderful caring staff. We were served cheese, pita chips, and chocolates with our wine tasting. The gentleman serving us was very knowledgeable and kind,” (Lisa, 7/21/2015, yelp.com).

Grandfather Vineyard & Winery – 225 Vineyard Lane Banner Elk, 29 miles away from our resort
“I stayed in Blowing Rock for a week w/ my bf and we did all 3 wine vineyards within the 30 mins or so driving distance. While all 3 were lovely, Grandfather Vineyards stole my heart…” (Savannah, 1/3/2015, yelp.com).

Laurel Gray Vineyards – 5726 Old US Hwy 421 Hamptonville, 41 miles away from our resort
“Good wine, strong local history. Excellent visit, a unique tasting experience. Older winery without a “showcase” tasting room – so what! They know how to make a good wine and sell it at fair prices. Interesting sauces too,” (Dan, 8/16/2015, yelp.com).

Sweet Home Carolina Vineyard & Winery – 3423 Old US 421 Hwy East Yadkinville, 57 miles away from our resort
“I just recently had the pleasure of meeting the owners… They are both extremely kind and within minutes you can tell just how passionate they are about all things wine related. …I must say these are folks you just WANT to support. Great wine, a beautiful atmosphere, and kind owners make for a winning combination,” (Jordan, 10/17/15, yelp.com).

Windsor Run Cellars – 6531 Windsor Rd Hamptonville, 43 miles away from our resort
“There are wines to ponder, wines to brag about owning, and wines to drink. This small winery in the Swan Creek ATA of North Carolina makes exceptional wines to drink. Found this fun small winery after visiting the big one in the area. So glad we did. Adventurous, interesting, and delicious wines. We bought 4 of the 7 we tasted. The Cab Sauv was superb…” (John, 5/30/2015, yelp.com).

We, at Leatherwood, are excited about North Carolina wine and would love to customize your personal tour and offer tips for your excursion and overall NC Mountain Vacation experience. Featuring an array of rentals, we delight in serving as a launch pad for our guests. It’s more than okay to simply retreat to our accommodations and stay in for the remainder of your trip (it’s easy to forget that); but it’s also rewarding to get out and see all that our area affords. Leatherwood Mountains gives you a charming place to rest and rejuvenate in between your outings. Come and go as you please, spending your valuable time the way you want. If that happens to be by tasting as many whites and reds as possible, you can trust that Yadkin Valley, the High Country, and the rest of our surrounding areas won’t come up dry.

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Leatherwood Mountains is a member of the High Country Host, and the Chambers of Commerce of Blowing Rock, Boone, and Wilkes

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